A board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Marco has assembled an oncology team, including radiation, medical and surgical oncologists, pathologists and reconstructive surgeons, to care for patients with bone and soft tissue tumors.

Our highly skilled team ensures each patient receives specialized care in an environment rich in collaboration, research and compassion. We diagnose, treat and study cancers using advanced techniques and technology. Our physician-scientists are committed to discovering and advancing treatments and cures for our patients.

Houston Methodist’s Cancer Center doctors and staff forge personal connections with our patients and their families under intense circumstances. We provide the best possible care while working with patients and their families as a team, guiding everyone toward the individualized care, support and resources needed.

Definition
Musculoskeletal oncology focuses on tumors in bones and soft tissue, including muscles and nerves. Malignant primary musculoskeletal system tumors are called sarcomas.

Conditions Treated

Benign Bone Tumors & Conditions

Chondroblastoma — grows at the ends of long bones close to the joints. Tumors mostly develop at the ends of the femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone) or humerus (upper arm bone)

Chondromyxoid fibroma — grows out of the cartilage-forming tissue found in bone marrow. Tumors typically develop in the tibia near the knee

Extra-abdominal desmoid tumors — aggressively grow and become intertwined in surrounding tissue, frequently recurring after removal. Tumors mostly are found in the shoulders and buttocks

Giant cell tumor of bone — grows at the ends of the long bones, mostly at the lower end of the femur or upper end of the tibia close to the knee joint

Osteoblastoma — develops in the bones of the spine, legs, hands and feet

Osteoid osteoma —develops in the long bones, including the femur and tibia

Paget's disease of bone — interferes with the body's normal process of replacing old bone tissue. The disease can lead to fragile and misshapen bones. It mostly occurs in the pelvis, skull, spine and legs

Periosteal and soft tissue chondromas —tumors made of cartilage. They mostly are found in the small bones of the hands and feet, as well as the humerus and femur

Pigmented villonodular synovitis — a condition that causes the synovium (the tissue that lines the joints and tendons) to thicken and overgrow. It usually affects the knee

Synovial chondromatosis — the synovium abnormally grows, producing nodules made of cartilage. The nodules may break from the synovium and become loose inside the joint

Benign Soft Tissue Masses

Lipoma — a fatty lump often found between the skin and underlying muscle layer

Hemangioma — a birthmark that looks like a rubber, red nodule of extra blood vessels in the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body, but mostly appears on the face, scalp, chest or back

Ganglion — a fluid-filled lump that appears near joints or tendons. It is mostly found on the wrist or hands

Fibrosarcoma — begins in tissue that holds bones, muscles and other organs in place

Leiomyosarcoma — cancer of smooth muscle cells, which are found in most parts of the body, including the uterus, stomach, intestines, walls of all blood vessels and skin. It mostly is found in the uterus, stomach and small intestine

Liposarcoma — cancer of connective tissues that can occur in almost any part of the body. It is mostly found in the thigh and abdominal cavity

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (also known as MFH) — cancer of connective tissues such as ligaments, tendons, fat and muscle. It mostly is found in the arms and legs